Indigenomics: Taking A Seat At The Economic Table is a book written by Carol Anne Hilton that infuses Indigenous worldviews as a way to bring about economic empowerment, inclusion and economic reconciliation for Indigenous peoples.
Hilton's work is extremely instructive in providing tangible pathways and toolboxes to envision how economic reconciliation in an inclusive economy can be achieved. For example, she refers to Emily Garr Pacetti's work that sets out 5 key characteristics of an inclusive economy: participation, equity, growth, stability and sustainability. Additionally, she introduces the Indigenomics toolbox, which consists of 13 core concepts to help Canadians understand the foundation of economic reconciliation. Some of these concepts include: What was the outcome and significance of the Tsilhqot'in court decision? What is the doctrine of discovery? What are the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action? Why are they important? (Note: the exhaustive list is available on pages 197-198).
Later, as a reflection question, she asks how Canadians can become engaged in understanding reconciliation and individual and collective responsibility. I posed the same question to myself. I think a good place to begin is by exploring those 13 core concepts.
The question that stood out at first glance among those concepts was what the TRC Calls to Action are and why they are important. Since May 2021, an appalling number of unmarked graves have been discovered at residential schools across Canada. In light of those horrific revelations, I wanted to explore Calls to Action 73 to 76 in particular, which specifically ask for the federal government and churches to participate in work regarding missing Indigenous children and burial information. It is clear that progress on these calls has been incredibly disappointing, as that information is only now beginning to come to light. The TRC Calls to Action are meant "to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation." However, the extent to which this has been meaningfully accomplished is dubious, as the responsible institutions are only now coming under fire for their lack of engagement.
The following website: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524504992259/1557512149981 tracks the progress on Calls to Action 71 to 76. It is inadequate that progress on some of these calls (particularly 73 to 76) have only gone as far as beginning discussions with the relevant parties but have not delivered any concrete outcomes. The 94 calls to action were released in June 2015, but only around eight calls have been achieved thus far according to the Yellowhead Institute. Hopefully the words do not remain hollow and meaningful strides can continue to be made to achieve all the calls to action. For law students and lawyers, it is incumbent that we respond to the calls that specifically involve us (as well as those that do not) and ensure they are being completed. Call 27 requires lawyers to receive appropriate cultural competency training, and call 28 requires law schools to deliver a required course in Aboriginal people and the law to law students. In 2021, call 27 came into effect, as all lawyers in BC must take a 6-hour online Indigenous intercultural competency training course. While it's certainly a start in addressing the knowledge gap, a 6-hour course completed over 2 years will likely be insufficient in providing comprehensive cultural competency training. As for call 28, while a few law schools have mandated Indigenous law classes, many law schools have yet to do so.
Fulfilling all the calls to action is a necessary step to address the harm inflicted on Indigenous communities and to promote economic reconciliation. Engaging in this work of learning about the different pathways forward for Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination hinges on learning about and revitalizing Indigenous economic systems. In reading about Cree and Coast Salish economies in great detail thus far, I've come to realize that learning about the economies also requires learning about the many underlying principles, values, and philosophies that are inherent in all aspects of life. Economic reconciliation involves a holistic look to not only the "what and "how" of the economies, but also the "why." From this exploration, hopefully settlers like myself can become more active and engaged in the resurgence of these economies.